MFA Press Statement: Official Visit of Minister George Yeo to Timor-Leste from 17 to 19 Aug 2010

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo is currently in Dili on an official visit to Timor-Leste from 17 to 19 August 2010.

This morning, Minister Yeo was hosted to a breakfast meeting by President Jose Ramos-Horta at his residence. Minister Yeo and President Ramos-Horta reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Timor-Leste. President Ramos-Horta briefed Minister Yeo on the political and economic developments in Timor-Leste. They also discussed ways in which Singapore could enhance its technical assistance to Timor-Leste under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), under which more than 300 Timorese officials have received training since 2000. In addition, they had an exchange of views in relation to how Timor-Leste could prepare itself for ASEAN membership.

Minister Yeo also called on the Acting Prime Minister Jose Luis Guterres and the President of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste Fernando de Araujo, during which they discussed Timor-Leste's development challenges and plans for the future. Minister Yeo was hosted to a working lunch-cum-dialogue on the "Regional Architecture and Recent Developments in ASEAN" by the Minister of Economy and Development Joao Goncalves.

In addition, Minister Yeo met with the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's Special Representative in Timor-Leste Ameerah Haq and other UN officials who briefed Minister Yeo on the UN's priorities in relation to its mandate in the country. Ms Haq thanked Singapore for its contribution of 21 police officers and 2 Military Liaison Officers under the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) and commended the performance of the officers. Minister Yeo also met with the Bishop of the Dili Diocese Reverend Dom Alberto Ricardo this afternoon.

This evening, Minister Yeo and Foreign Minister Zacarias Albano da Costa will hold a bilateral meeting, after which Minister da Costa will host a dinner in honour of Minister Yeo.

Yesterday, Minister Yeo hosted a National Day dinner for the Singaporean community in Timor-Leste.

Minister Yeo leaves for Singapore tomorrow morning.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
18 AUGUST 2010